Agger, the Reds’ vice-captain, has not played since suffering a calf strain in the third-round win over Oldham on Jan. 5.

Manager Brendan Rodgers says the 29-year-old Denmark international will not be ready to return for this Saturday’s Premier League clash with the Gunners at Anfield, but he expects Agger to resume full training in preparation for the cup trip to the Emirates Stadium on Feb. 16.

Fellow centre-back Mamadou Sakho is still recovering from the hamstring problem sustained against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Dec. 29, meaning that Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure will retain their defensive roles this coming weekend.

Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: “Daniel and Mamadou are not far off but I’m not expecting to have either of them back for the weekend.

“They are not back in full training yet. Daniel will be back at some stage next week so he’s progressing really well, but Sakho is still a bit away from coming back training.”